Meat rolling machine



Feb. 14, 1933. G, A ROTHAMEL MEAT ROLLING MACHINE Filed Aug. 25, 1931INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

' are provided for Patented Feb. 14, 1933 UNITED STATES GUSTAV A.ROTHAMEL, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,

MEAT ROLLING MACHINE Application filed August 25, 1931. Serial No.559,153.

This invention relates to a machine-forjuse in forming rolled roasts.

Hitherto, rolled roasts composed of slabs of meat have-been rolled byhand and then sewed or tied. This method is not entirely satisfactory,due to the difficulty encounterediin formingthe rollsufiiciently tightso that it will'not come'apart during roasting.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a simpleand inexpensive machine which is capable of use in expeditiously andtightly forming slabs of meat into rolled roasts.

In practicing the invention, I provide a machine which includes aplurality of rolling units, each of which comprises a flexible bandhaving one fixed end. This band is capable of being looped aroundthemeat to be rolled and operated by an actuating device capable offorcibly decreasing the diameter of the loop formed by the band over themeat and thereby form the meat into a tight compact roll for roasting.

One form which the invention may assume is exemplified in the followingdescrlption and illustrated by way of example in the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a machine embodying the preferred form ofmy invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawing, 10 indicates atable or other horizontal support upon which my machine, generallyindicated by 11, is mounted.

' In the present instance, the machine is shown as demountably attachedto the table 10. It is to be understood, however, that the constructionof the machine may be such that it may be directly mounted on a table orother type of stand found most convenient.

The machine, here illustrated, comprises a base or frame structure 12,which incorporates a stationary U-shaped clamp 14 to receive the edge ofthe table 10. Clamp screws clamping the base structure 12 to the tableor bench 10.

The rolling machine is illustrated as being composed of three rollingunits. It is to be understood, however, that any number of these unitsmay be employed, depending upon the size of roasts to be rolled. Inother words, the machine may incorporate any number of units desired.

Each unit mentioned comprises an upright member 16 on the base, whichmember has an arcuate surfacel? which is formed on a radiussubstantially that of a rolled roast.

A flexible band 18 is provided, one end of which is secured along thear'cuate face of the projection 16. At this end. of the band the same isformed with radially. inwardly projecting tangs for engagement with themeat to be rolled in the machine. The flexible band. 18 is ofa lengththat it may be looped around? the slab of meat to be rolled, and thenled between two guide lugs 19 at- :he side of themember 16 opposite its'arcuate ace.

The flexible band: 18 is formed with two rows of: upturned lugs 20.which rows are' spaced at equal distances on opposite sides of thelongitudinal center lineof the band 18. The lugs of each row are spacedsufficiently close together longitudinally to formaguide waytherebetween for a clamping chain 21. 757? One endofthisclamping chainis fixedto the inner side of the member 16. From this point the clampingchain is led around the exterior. of the band '18 between the rows ofthe lugs 20. The other end of thischain is adapted to beled over asprocket 22 secured on a' shaft 23 journalled in the guide lugs 19. Alsosecured on the shaft is a ratchet wheel 24.

Pivotally mounted on the shaft contiguous to the ratchet wheel 24 is anoperating lever 25. This operating lever 25 is fitted with a springpressed pawl 26 for engagement with the ratchetwheel 24. The ratchetwheel24 and the-pawl 26 being so arranged that oscillation of theoperating lever 25 will revolve the shaft 23 in a direction causing thesprocket 22 to exert a pull on the chain 21 and forcibly reduce thediameter of the loop formed by the flexible band 18' and thereby tightlyroll the meat therein into a compact roast- A second pawl27 is providedwhich is pivotally mounted on the upright member 16 for engagementwiththe ratchet wheel to 100 tion by those skilled in the art without deentis:

4 meat positioned adjacent the bracket, a chain prevent expansion of theloop during the operation of the lever 25.

In operation of the device, the slab of meat is selected and looselyrolled and placed in the machine with the tangs embedded in one endthereof. The flexible bands 18 are then looped around the meat and theclamping chains 21 are engaged with the sprockets 22. The levers 25 arethen operated so as to reduce the diameter of the loops formed by thebands by circumferential contraction of the bands and tightly roll themeat into a compact roast.

due to unevenness of thickness of the slab, the'levers 25 may beindividually operated so that the roast will be rolled tightlythroughout its entire length.

After the roast has been rolled suiiiciently tight, it is tied orotherwise bound while it still remains in the machine. After thisoperation is complete, the chain 21 may be stripped from the sprocket torelease the bands 18. The loops formed by the bands may then be.expanded easily and quickly so that the roast may be removed from themachine.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a comparativelysimple and inexpensive machine for rolling slabs of meat into compactrolled roasts.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, it is to beunderstood that various changes may be'made in its construcparting fromthe spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim. and desire to secureby Letters Pat- 1. A meat rolling machine comprising a bracket adaptedto be secured to a table, a flexible member secured at one of its endsto the bracket to be wrapped around-a piece of overlying the flexiblemember and secured at one end to the bracket, and means for engaging andpulling on the chain to contract the flexible member about the meat.

2. A meat rolling machine comprising an arcuate base member, a flexibleelement secured at one end to said base member whereby its other end maybe curved around to form a substantially circular band, a secondflexible element overlying the first element, and means carried by thebase for releasably engaging the second element, and means for pullingupon said second element to contract the first element and reduce thediameter of said circular band.

3. A meat rolling machine comprising a base member, a flexible bandsecured at one end to said base member, a chain secured to the basemember and overlying said band, and ratchet means supported by the baseInasmuch as the roast will be of different diameters throughout itslength 7 member engageable with said chain to draw the band into asubstantially circular shape.

4. A meat rolling machine comprising a base member, a flexible bandsecured at one end to said base member, a chain secured to the basemember and overlying said band, and ratchet means supported by the basemember engageable with said chain to draw the band into a substantiallycircular shape, and means on the base member for engaging and retaininga piece of meat against slipping movement when the flexible band isdrawn around it.

5. A meat rolling machine comprising a base, a flexible band secured tothe base and adapted to surround a piece of meat positioned adjacent thebase, the base and overlying the band, ratchet means engageable with thefree end of the chain to tighten it about the band, and

means on the band to retain the chain against sidewise displacementthereon.

GUSTAV A. ROTHAMEL.

a chain secured to

